Lion attack: Game of Thrones visual effects editor identified as victim of fatal mauling in South Africa

A VISUAL effects editor on Game of Thrones was the victim of a fatal mauling by a lioness, in a gruesome scene reminiscent of the violent TV drama.

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A VISUAL effects editor on “Game of Thrones” has been identified as the woman fatally mauled by a lioness while snapping photos from an open car window in a South African wildlife park.

Katherine Chappell, 29, who grew up in the town of Rye, in New York State, was killed on Monday when the animal lunged at her through the window,New York Post reports.

Chappell, who studied at Hofstra University on Long Island, was mourned by her grieving family on Facebook.

Jumped in ... The lioness attacked Chappell through an open window. Picture: Instagram

“We are broken-hearted to share this news with our friends and family,” the post read. “Yesterday morning, while on a volunteer mission to protect wildlife in South Africa, Kate Chappell was involved in a tragic and fatal accident.”

Chappell had worked on popular projects such as Game of Thrones, Godzilla and Captain America, according to her LinkedIn profile.

She had moved to Canada to pursue her film career.

Her sister described her as “brilliant, kind, adventurous and high-spirited.”

“Her energy and passion could not be contained by mere continents or oceans,” she wrote.

Cordoned off ... The car in which the attack took place. Picture: Getty Images

The adventurous young woman had chronicled her journey with Instagram posts from the Vancouver airport and the streets of Johannesburg, where she enjoyed a mojito cocktail in a Mason jar.

“Me likey joburg #mojitos #holiday #southafrica,” Chappell wrote.

She started a campaign on ­GoFundMe.com in an attempt to raise $US1,300 ($1,600) for a group dedicated to the conservation of animals in South Africa.

“I will be assisting rangers in tracking and monitoring animals, setting up camera traps, participating in poaching prevention techniques, providing support and assistance to veternarians [sic], and be involved in game capture and relocation,’’ Chappell wrote in the description of her fundraiser.

Life spared ... Lion Park officials said the lioness will not be euthanized. Picture: Supplied

She graduated from Hofstra in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in film studies and production.

During the fall 2007 semester, Chappell made the Dean’s List for earning a grade-point average above 3.4.

Lion Park, near Johannesburg, says guests aren’t permitted to open car windows as they drive through the facility.

The US Embassy released a statement that said, “Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones of the deceased in this sad incident.”

Meanwhile, Chappell’s tour guide told the Daily Mail how he suffered a heart attack as he tried to save her life — and denied he broke any rules at the park.

“That’s not right … not right at all,” Pierre Potgieter, 66, told the paper from his hospital bed. “If that’s what they’re saying, that’s not the case. Not at all.”

He said he is still “in a shock and daze” about the tragedy.

His wife, Corlien Potgieter, said a cardiologist said Potgieter must have suffered a heart attack as he tried to fight off the lioness — or right after.

“His wounds are clean and there doesn’t seem to be any problem with them, it is just his heart we are now concerned about,” she said.

She released a statement on behalf of their company, Kalabash Tours, that said Chappell had suddenly opened a window.

“The tourist had a camera and, of her own accord, rolled down the passenger window in order to take photographs. A lion then attacked the tourist through the open window,” the statement said.

“Mr Potgieter tried to fend the lioness off and in the process sustained injuries to his arm. When the lion retreated, Mr Potgieter saw that the tourist had sustained extremely serious injuries.”

Potgieter tried to stop the serious bleeding from Chappell’s neck by applying pressure as he called for help, the statement said.

Scott Simpson, the park’s assistant manager, denied the statement’s claim that Lion Park staffers didn’t help in the rescue efforts. He said workers pulled the lioness off Chappell and performed CPR.

“When the paramedics were treating the lady, she unfortunately passed away,” he said.

Authorities were checking the last photographs Chappell took on the fateful ride, as well as images taken by tourists who witnessed the mauling.

“The dead lady’s camera was taken by police as evidence, as she was photographing the lioness through an open window up until the moment the lion attacked the vehicle,” Mr Simpson told the Daily Mail. “According to eyewitnesses, the lion was walking near the vehicle and the visitor was taking pictures through an open window.”

Talent ... Chappell had created special effects for Game of Thrones. Picture: Supplied

In a statement on Facebook, Lion Park officials said the lioness is being kept in a separate enclosure.

“We would like to assure everyone that we will not euthanize the lioness. The lioness will remain under our care,” the statement said.